Youth Urged to Drive Africa’s Transformation Through Innovation and Leadership

What the report says

Youth leaders and development advocates at the opening of the 2026 Billi Now Now (BNN) Youth Summit in Kampala urged young Africans to take a more active role in shaping the continent’s future through innovation, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and technology. The three-day meeting brought together hundreds of youth leaders, innovators, policymakers and partners from across Africa under the theme “Africa Recharged: Youth Power. Bold Voices. Real Change.”

Reach A Hand Africa chief executive Humphrey Nabimanya said young people should not wait for governments or external partners to solve Africa’s problems, arguing that youth should be treated as architects of development rather than symbolic participants. He said the BNN Movement is meant to connect young people working on practical solutions and create space for ideas to influence policy and community action. The summit also marked the organisation’s transition from Reach A Hand Uganda to Reach A Hand Africa, reflecting its expansion into Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Burundi.

Delegates are discussing health, education, climate action, entrepreneurship, creative industries and responsible technology. According to the report, the summit is intended to produce partnerships and community projects rather than remain a speaking forum. Kenyan youth leader Rasheed Mutaha called on participants to stay bold and use digital tools responsibly, while Burundian community leader Hardy Ruremesha highlighted a waste-to-products initiative as an example of local innovation creating jobs and environmental benefits.